Golf playing apparatus



1,558,766 F.. s. sMlTH K .i

GOLF PLAYING APPARATUS Oct. 27, 1925- Filed Jan. 11I 1922 l Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

- UNITED STATES NT OFFICE. i

i FRANK STEWART SMITH, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA;

.senr PLAYING APPARATUS.

Application led January 11, 122. Serial No. 528,438.

To all whom t may concern.' l

Be it known that I, `FRANK S'rnwmvr SMITH, a` citizen of' the United States, re-

siding at Los Angeles, county` of Los Anl geles, and "State of California, have invented new and. useful Improvements in 'Golf Play! -.in Apparatus, of which the following is a fu l, clearand accurate disclosure. e' .Y

In the` present invention I -have conceived and perfected a device for playing a new game, and for thepractice of golf putting. Itis designed primarily forthe pur- 'pose of providing a useful substitute for the golf putting green, to 'be used indoors or otherwise for practicing putting in the Vabl ,sence ofA a puttin green; while at the same time providing the means of engaging in an interesting and entertaining form of amusement; my device, together with regulation golf' The new game which may be played with balls and putting irons, consists of a conest number of strokes, and it has all the detest between any number 'of players to de'- termine which can drive the ball vinto the hole an agreed number of times in the fewsirable features of being interesting,^attrac tive and competitive, while at the same time resulting vin valuable golf putting practice.

I have combined in this'devi'ce certain features whereby results and benefits'approximating those obtained inactual golf putting practice on'a putting green are obtained; Vand which will be conducive to revealing accurately the effect of a shot, and

- improving the players skill at putting, the

-same as would be obtained under normal 'circumstances upon a putting green.

I have further provided an arrangement whereby the ball,4 after a practice shot is made, will be returned to, or in the direction' of, the player so -that the ball may be recovered without the necessity of the player moving vfrom his positionto retrieve it; but

permitting him to alter his position for the next shot, correcting it if the last shot wasl unsuccessful, thereby giving him every opportunity to closely #observe the elfect of slight differences, of position, or stance, and thereby reaping the greatest possible |benefit from such practice.. Y

It is of equal or even greater importance i that the ball return to within reach of the his demonstratedly correct position, or

vlayer when it has been successfully playedl into the hole, as the player` may then retain stance', and play from that position an indenite number of shots or strokes and thus form the habit 'of assuming and playing from this correct position orI stance.

The -factthat my device returns the ball` ,to or in thedirection of the player, and within reasonable limits easily within his reach, makes thisform of golf puttino" practice of the greatest possible benefit and value, as the player may after each unsuccessful shot alter, adjust and correct his faulty position or stance as suggested bythe action of the ball on my` device, or hemay retain his correct stance as indlcated when the ball has successfullybeen played into the' hole. i

As the ball always returns to within easy reach of the player, whether the'ball enters the hole or not, if he is not more than seven feet from the hole, and mostputting practice should be yhad within this distance, it is easily possible for a player tolmake twelve or even fifteen putts or plays per minute,- andin three minutes he may make as many putts or plays ashe should ordinarily make in playing a-full round of eighteen holes on a regular golfv course or links.

In feats of skill', such as golf putting,

practice is said to 'be nine-tenths,` and my 85 'i device affords, and its action 'suggests and invites practice ofthe most agreeable and helpful character.- v-

In structure the device may be made colapsible soas'to be folded and packed .into 90` a compact form for` transporting or storage.

The improvedfeatures of my invention will be more fully s et-forth in the following; specification, reference being made therein part thereof,l in. which;

Fig. 1 isa perspective plan view of my device; Fi 2 is a front view thereof look- 'i to the accompanying drawingsforming a ing at 'it rom the position of4 the player;

Fig. 3 is a view of the bottom or back of the 100 a slightly modified form of a portion of the device; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detailed view taken as indicated by the line 8--8 of F 2; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the device showing a variation in its construction.

The arrangement I have shown in the aforementioned drawings, andthat which I will describe herein as my preferred speciic embodiment, comprises a plane surface called the table, designed to be supported i member 10, for convenience hereinafter upon a licor or other surface-designated herein by the numeral 11-in a relatively 1nclined position by legs 12, or other suitable` i surface with a soft material 14, such as felt,

leather, .paper or other material.

The degree of inclination of the table 10 relative to the surface 11 may be Aaltered to suit circumstances, but ordinarily it will be substantially for. best results. AIt is supported by the legs 12 with its Wider edge 10l resting upon the surface` 11; being prrr vided along its longitudinal edges with flanges 10b; and along itsupper transverse edge with a flangelO, to prevent the ball from rolling off except across the lower edge and a stop member 12a may the longitudinal center .of the table 10, and. v preferably above its transverse' center, is an 10". TheA edge 1()E 'is curved slightly upward to provide, as far as possible, an unbroken juncture between the surface 11 and the surface of the table 10. This juncture may also be formed by extending the cover-V ing 14 slightlybeyondthe edge 10a, as shown in Fig. 8.

The legs 12 may be formed of a Single. piece of wire bent -U.shaped, and hinge lv secured to and foldable against the back of the table 10, as shown in Figs. 3,4, and 5; be formed to engage the back of the table 10, to hold the legs in standing or supporting position, .as in Fig. 4.

Situated preferably in alignmentwith aperture 20, preferablycircular inform and of convenient size: which naperture corres., spends to the hole-in a golf putting greeIL` A chute 21 is secured to theunder `face of the table 10 with its upper end directly be- I nea-th the'hole 20, and extending slightly beyond it, while its opposite end is terminated to rest upon or near the surface 11, directly back of an aperture 22 g; `the latter being cut through the table 10 at its lower edge, and preferably in one ofits lower corners. Thus chute 21 extends vdiagonally with reference tothe longitudinal center of the table 10. The opening 22 may be covered by a small door 23, so hinfredly connected t0 the table 1c am the balie rolling down the chute 21 will strike and open it outwardly, as illustrated in Fig.' 1. This door is arranged to lielin Ithe plane of thel table 10 `so that there is presented a praclower` end .will extendll beyond the .longi tudinalside of the table lO-asin Fig. 9. This will'obviate the necessity of cutting the opening 22 in the table 10 and provid- ,ticallyunbroken surface when it is closed.

The chute 21 may also be formed so its ing the door 23. lVith this construction the chute 21 may be either inthe vcollapsible form, hereinafter described, or in aperma- Vnent or non-collapsible' form rigidly secured 4to the under face of the table 10.

In structure the chute 21- ispreferably made collapsible 'and' comprised of la. single metal or the like, rigidly secured alon one. edge to the under surface of the tab e 10, as by rivets 25. If the chute 21 is to be collapsible it may be formed of cardboard and creased to form sides 26 and 27, and a bot? tom 2S: the side 27 terminating in a bent-l piece of material, such as heavy cardboard,4

over or flange portion 29 to form a juncture with the table 10. This last mentioned flange portion is arranged to .extend under and be held by clips 30,'also secured to the under face of the table 10, in the manner.'

illustrated in Fig. 3. With this arrangement the chute. 21 may be collapsed flat a ainst the under face of the table 10 (as il ustrated in Fig. when the device as a whole is arranged for transporta-tion or for storage.` This is accomplished merely by removing the flange 29 from beneath 'the clips 3Q and flattening the whole structure `out against the under surface of table' 10. The llange 29 is normally held -in engagement with clips 30 by means of acord 31,.-se

`cured a-t one end to the flange 29-as at 32 the opposite endbeing` wound around a button 33. also secured to the under surface of the member 10. The bottom'28 is prefs, v

prevents transverse Wobbling of theball and steadies it in its return passage.

The chute `21 is of a length sufficient to :extendslightly beyond the aperture 20 (see Fig. 4) its upper end being left open and its lower so formed that when it is erected, as .shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the bottom sections 28 at their juncture will rest upon vor nea-r the surface 11, while the side 26 is extended and bent parallel with the adjacent longitudinal side of the table 10-as at 26a- .erably creased down its center to form a V22,l shaped groove forthe ball B to roll in. This j so\the ball on leaving the chute strikes this portion 26a and is directed in the direction of the player. The side member 27 is termi nated at a point to sufficiently close the opposite side ofthe chute but so as not to attento extend inte the area of' the opening .22. It is to benoted in this connection that the chute 21 extends not only in an inclined plane with Athe member 10,- but also diag.- onally with referenceto the latters longitudinal center, and that the side member 26a I is extended so as to delect the ball out through the opening 22.

rlhe modiiied form of door shown inlTig.

. 7 is very similar to that shown in the other 'figures oi, the drawings, except that herethe door 23a instead of being hingedlyconnected along one of its vertical'edges to' the table .10, is hin'gedly connected across its top edge,l

in the vopening 22, so that when'the ball passes out through the opening 22 it will throw the door upwardly, as illustrated in that figure.

` ,In the use of the'device it is set u-p inthe vmanner illustrated in Fig; 1, and the player standso' any desired distance, and ordinaril within a Zone defined by lines rothen .takes the desired position or stance and with a putter or other means drives a ball with the hole 20 as his objective, the same as in the case of an .actual game of golf when the player is putting for theholeupon the putting green. The ball-designated in the A.drawings by the letter B-will travel over the surface 1 1,.and roll upon the inclined table 10, and if it has been. given the proper impetus and 'the correct direction it will drop into the hole 20; but if it has not the proper direction and velocity it will stop short of the hole 2O or'roll to one side or "around it and back down the incline toward the player. If it misses the hole the velocity acquired by rolling back down the lincline will, under ordinary circumstances,- return the' ball 'to the player so that he will not be required to move from his position to retrieve it 'and playit again.

In case the' ball drops in the hole20, it

will tall into the chute 21, underneath the inclined table 10, roll down it and out through the opening 22 and door 23--in the Vmanner illustrated in Fig. 1-and will in this manner `be likewise returned to or in the direction oit' the player. This return of the ball to or in the direction of the player after it has entered hole 2O is of the greatest` v nal center of tablel() will present substan- Itial'ly an unbroken surface over which the ball travels in rolling up onto theinclined table. The curving of the lower edge 10 of the table 10, as shownat Fig. 8, willlikei wise present, as far as possible, an unbroken surface between the surfaces 10 and 11.

Not only does the `inclination of the surface 10 provide a means of returning the ball B to the player, either in the case oi its entering the hole 2O or missing it, but

being thus inclined it will require a substantial stroke .or hit to make theball travel up this surface 10, thereby presenting conditions and diiiiculties very similarl tothose encountered upon a golf putting green, and requiring the same character of: stroke or hit; that 1s, the resistance oiiered'approximates that ordinarily offered by .the grass and rolling surface of the out door putting green. Also this inclined surface enables the player to `practicecurved 'or side-hill shots as indicated by the dotted line Fig.' 1. lThat is, the ball is played up onto the table 10 so as toroll side wise and into 4the hole 20. in the planes ofthe ianges 10". He

ThusI have provided a `simple and cornpact arrangement for the practicing of'putting, in thev game of golf, and for playing a new and interesting game, and it is readily discernible'that my device will be very. in-l expensive. to'manufacture and may be very easily transported from place to as easily` set up for use.

the `prefer-red specific embodiment of my device, it is nevertheless to be understoodv that y Y I reserve the right to make anychanges or modifications instructure which will properlyJ-come within'the scope of the appended claims.

Hav-ing described.4 a preferred formoffmy it@ invention, I claim :--l y f 1. vIn a device of the class described, the

combination of a table; members hingedly i connected to said table for supporting it in an inclined position with its bottom edge upon the alioor; 4an aperture in said table to receive a ball; and means `for returning thev ball to the player after it has passed place, and as While I have herein shown and described i through said apertures, said means com- 'Y prising 'a collapsible chute secured to the underside of said surface.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a table adapted to be supported in an inclined position with one edge upon the floor, an aperture in said table to receive a ball, a'discharge aperture in said table adjacent its lower edge, andmeans for returning the ball to the player after ithas passed through thefrst mentioned aperture, said means comprising a chute extending under the table and-communicating with both said apertures. l

3. In a device of the class` described, the

combination of a table adapted tobe supported in an inclined position with one edge' upon the door, an aperture in said table to receive a ball, a discharge aperture in said table, and means to Yreturn 'the ball in the direction of the player after it has passed through the first mentioned aperture, said means comprising a chute on the under side of the table communicating with both said ape rt iires.

4. Ina device of the class described, the combination of a table adapted to be supported in an inclined position ivith one edge upon the floor, an aperture in said table to reccive'a ball. a discharge aperture in said table, and means to return the ball in the direction ot' the player after it has passed through the first mentioned aperture` said means comprising a chiite on the under side, ot the table commiu'iicatiug ivith'both said apertures, saididischarge aperture having a normally-closed door. coplanar with the upper face ot'zthe table, adapted to be opened b v a ball'as it discharges from the chute. Y

5.In devire` of the class described, thev combination of a table having a plane surl'ace, Vadapted-to be supported in an inclined position with one edge upon 4the floor, an' aperture situated centrally in said table to receive a ball` discharge aperture in said table adjacent one of its lower corners', and means to return the ball in the direction ot Athe player after it' has passed thrmigli the ball, a discharge aperture incsaid table adjacent its lower edge, and means for returning the ball to the player after it has passed through the iirst mentioned aperturesaid means comprising a chute extending under the table and communicating` with both saidv apertures,

7. ,In a. device of the class described, the

vcombination ota table adapted to be supported in an inclined position with one edge ,upon the floor, the floor-engaging edge being curved to make a. tangential juncture therewith, \a -frictional surface on said table, an aperture insaid table to receive a ball, a discharge aperture in said table adjacent -its lower edge, and `means for returning the ball to the player after-ithas passed 'through the. first mentioned aperture, said means comprising a chute extending under the table and communicating with both said apertures.

8. In a device of the'class described, the combination of a table having a plane surface adapted'to be supported in an inclined y,position with one edge upon the floor, the floor engaging edge being curved to make a tangential juncture therewith, a frictional surface on said table', an aperture situated centrally in said tableto receive aball, a

discharge aperture in said table adjacent .one of its lower corners, and means to return the ball inthe direction of the player after it has passed through the first mentioned aperture, said means comprising an inclined collapsible chuteon the under side of the table connecting at opposite ends with both of said apertures', said discharge aperture having, a normally closed door7 coplanar with tlie'table surface, adapted lto be opened by a ball as it discharges from the chutei In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 5th( day of January 1922.

FRANK STEWART SMITH. 

